Little Compton Rec Leader Has Plan to Fix Mud Pit Ball Fields [VIDEO]

Supplies to build the new Dundery Brook walking trail and boardwalk sat in a fenced off area next to the tennis courts at Veteran's Field in Little Compton last Thursday afternoon. Even though it had not rained in four days, Patrick McHugh, of Little Compton, walked around sections of the divet and septic cover-laden grass of the nearby baseball field and, disgruntled, heard his sneakers go "squish."

He said it's "mind-boggling" that in an affluent town such as Little Compton, the children's recreation fields remain overlooked for more than 60 years. And, if the efforts to secure a large grant from the state don't materialize by Nov. 30, the land sits exposed to more tormenting New England winters.

"The kids are foresaken," said McHugh, chairman of the Recreation, Conservation and Open Space Committee, who has lived in town for more than 40 years and played sports on the same fields that abut the .

He to report his commission is pursuing a $250,000 grant from the Department of Environmental Management with a 50 percent match, and $150,000 through in-kind services. That leaves a request for the town to pay approximately $93,700 to put in two new multi-use fields.

Since then, the Little Compton School Committee voted to fully fund the town's portion of the grant out of its surplus, McHugh said. Ideally, he hopes the council committee only pays for half. If the funding is attained and the grant is approved, McHugh said work could begin next July.

Caps for underground septic tanks dot the baseball field next to the multi-use baseball field and soccer field near the school. McHugh showed exposed divets and soggy grass that remain an injury risk for young Little Compton athletes. He hopes new recreation fields will expand youth sports in town, in general.

"There are no girls sports in this town," he said. "They play in Portsmouth, Tiverton or Westport."

McHugh hopes the Little League field, complete with two pitching mounds, can get an overhaul of new dugouts, fencing, public benches for better line of site, a concession stand with running water and permeable parking.

The groundbreaking for the Dundery Brook trail, planned to meander around the current baseball field, passing the dilapidated tennis courts, to the trail entrance in the woods, is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m. next to the tennis courts.